Multi-mode interferometer coupler with core strips

ABSTRACT

For multi-mode interference (MMI) couplers that have a plurality of input and output ports, e.g. 4×4, a large number of modes may be supported in the multimode region, e.g. &gt;10, as the width of the MMI core grows larger. In order for MMI couplers to form good images, the supported modes preferably have low modal phase error, which can&#39;t be achieved using a conventional single layer design. Accordingly, a multi-mode interference (MMI) coupler comprising an MMI core comprising a plurality of waveguide core strips alternating with a plurality of cladding strips solves the aforementioned problems.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.16/018,952, filed Jun. 26, 2018, now allowed, which is a continuation ofU.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/658,795, filed Jul. 25, 2017, nowU.S. Pat. No. 10,031,291, which are hereby incorporated by referenceherein in its entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a multi-mode interferometer (MMI)coupler, and in particular to an MMI coupler with a core comprised ofwaveguide strips.

BACKGROUND

Conventional multimode interferometers (MMI) couplers 1, illustrated inFIG. 1A, are fabricated from a single layer of waveguide material, e.g.silicon, including a width w_mmi and a thickness h_mmi, typically 220 nmthick. Single layer MMI couplers result in a high modal phase error,which prevents the formation of good images essential to the realizationof a good MMI, characterized by a low insertion loss, small powerimbalance, high common mode rejection ratio (CMRR), and small phaseerror. For an MMI coupler with a smaller number of input/output (IO)ports, such as 1×2 and 2×2, the high modal phase error of the MMIcoupler is partly mitigated by the fact that only a very limited numberof modes are supported in the MMI region, e.g. 2 to 4 modes. For MMIcouplers that have a large number of IO ports, such as a 4×4, there isinevitably a larger number of supported modes in the multimode region,typically >10, as the width of the MMI core grows larger, and in orderfor these MMI couplers to form good images, the supported modes musthave low modal phase error, which can't be achieved using a single layerof waveguide material, e.g. silicon. FIG. 2A illustrates a plot of phaseerror vs number of modes for a standard single layer MMI coupler 1including different widths w_mmi, e.g. 4 um, 6 um and 8 um, and a singleheight h_mmi 0.21 um. The phase error grows exponentially with thenumber of supported modes and for each width w_mmi.

In order to realize an MMI coupler with a large number of input/outputports, such as a 4×4 MMI coupler, e.g. on a semiconductor (silicon)photonics platform, a dual layer MMI coupler 11, as illustrated in FIG.1B, is usually comprised of a central core region 12, including a widthw_mmi and a thickness h_hmmi, typically 220 nm thick, and a partiallyetched layer 13 including a height h_partial extending from each side ofthe central section 12. The partially etch layer 13 effectively reducesthe index contrast between the core region 12 of the MMI coupler 11 andits side cladding 14 by increasing the index of the side cladding 14.The partially etched layer 13 provides the extra degree of freedomneeded to control the effective indices of the supported modes, whichcan be used to minimize the modal phase error. In practice, dual layerMMI couplers 11 are very sensitive to the relative thickness of thefull-height waveguide 12 versus the partially etch waveguide 13;therefore, when these MMI couplers are fabricated, thickness variationas small as 10 nm between the designed MMI coupler and the fabricatedMMI coupler can result in unacceptable loss, balance, CMRR, and phaseerror. FIG. 2B illustrates a plot of modal phase error vs number ofmodes for a dual layer MMI coupler 11, for MMI's with different partialetch layer heights h_partial, but constant widths w_mmi or 7.7 um andheights h_mmi of 0.21 um. The dual layer MMI coupler 11 achieves smallermodal phase error than the single layer MMI coupler 1, but is sensitiveto the thickness of the partial etch layer 13.

With reference to FIGS. 3A and 3B, both single and dual layer MMIcouplers typically have single-layer, full-height access ports 16 a-16d. The width of the access ports (w_access) is typically optimized formaximal coupling to the N^(th) or M^(th) order mode of the MMI core 12of an N×M port MMI coupler 11, respectively. This optimal access portwidth, e.g. 1 μm to 2 μm on SOI 220 nm platform, is almost always wideenough to support multi-modes, e.g. w_access>0.5 μm. In theory, thelight coming from the core 12 of the MMI coupler 11 forms an image thataligns with the access ports 16 a-16 d both in position and size, andthe higher order access modes are not excited, as illustrated in FIG.3A. In actuality, because of thickness variation in the layers,lithographic rounding, refractive index variations, wavelengthdispersion, etc. the image that actually forms at the outputs 16 a-16 dof the MMI coupler 11 is distorted, as illustrated in FIG. 3B. Thedistortions are asymmetrical to the position and size of the accessports 16 a-16 d, which promotes coupling to high order modes supportedin the access ports, as depicted in the bottom and top ports 16 a and 16d. The relative phase shift between the high order modes and thefundamental mode of interest quickly accumulates in the access ports 16a-16 d given the taper resulting in significant phase shift at the endof the taper where the width reaches the routing waveguide width. Thisresults in the creating of highly undesirable ripples especiallyobservable in phase. Note that each port 16 a-16 d can support thefundamental and higher order modes, such as the depicted second ordermode, and that coupling to these modes can happen at each of the ports16 a-16 d.

An object of the present invention is to overcome the shortcomings ofthe prior art by providing an MMI coupler with a core comprise of stripsof waveguide material and strips of cladding material.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, the present invention relates to multi-mode interference(MMI) coupler comprising:

-   -   an MMI core comprising a plurality of waveguide core strips        alternating with a plurality of cladding strips.    -   at least one input port extending from one side of the MMI core        for optically coupling to a respective input waveguide; and    -   at least one output port extending from another side of the MMI        core for optically coupling to a respective output waveguide.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention will be described in greater detail with reference to theaccompanying drawings which represent preferred embodiments thereof,wherein:

FIG. 1A: illustrates a cross-section of a conventional single layer MMIcoupler.

FIG. 1B: illustrates a cross-section of a conventional dual layer MMIcoupler.

FIG. 1C: illustrates a cross-section of a MMI coupler with core stripesin accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2A: illustrates a plot of modal phase error for a standard singlelayer MMI coupler.

FIG. 2B: illustrates a plot of modal phase error for a dual layer MMIcoupler.

FIG. 2C: illustrates a plot of modal phase error for an MMI coupler inaccordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3A: illustrates the geometry of access ports in a standarddual-layer MMI coupler including the theoretical electromagnetic fieldof key optical modes.

FIG. 3B: illustrates the geometry of access ports in a standarddual-layer MMI coupler including the practical electromagnetic field ofkey optical modes.

FIG. 3C: illustrates the geometry of access ports in an MMI coupler inaccordance with an embodiment of the present invention, including thepractical electromagnetic field of key optical modes.

FIG. 4A: illustrates a plan view of the MMI coupler according to anembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4B: illustrates a cross-sectional view of the MMI core of MMIcoupler of FIG. 4A.

FIG. 4C: illustrates a cross-sectional view of the MMI core of the MMIcoupler of FIG. 4A with rounding and etch profile.

FIG. 5 illustrates a plan view of an access port of the MMI coupler ofFIG. 4A.

FIG. 6 illustrates a plan view of an MMI coupler in accordance withanother embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

While the present teachings are described in conjunction with variousembodiments and examples, it is not intended that the present teachingsbe limited to such embodiments. On the contrary, the present teachingsencompass various alternatives and equivalents, as will be appreciatedby those of skill in the art.

With reference to FIGS. 1C, 3C, 4A, 4B and 4C, an MMI coupler 41 inaccordance with an embodiment of the present invention, includes an MMIcore 42, including a core width w_mmi, with input ports 43 extendingfrom one side of the MMI core 42, and output ports 44 extending from anopposite side of the MMI core 42. Ideally, the MMI core 42 comprises asingle-layer, sub-wavelength MMI core. The term subwavelength is used todescribe an object having one or more dimensions smaller than the lengthof the wave with which the object interacts. For example, the termsubwavelength-diameter optical waveguide means an optical waveguidewhose diameter is less than the wavelength of light propagating throughit. The input and output ports 43 and 44 may be single mode ports. Theinput and output ports 43 and 44 have been labelled as such forsimplicity; however, the MMI coupler 41 may be bidirectional, wherebythe input ports may be capable of outputting signals, and the outputports 44 may be capable of inputting signals, whereby both input andoutput ports 43 and 44 may be referred to as access ports orinput/output ports. In the illustrated embodiment four input ports 43and four output ports 44 are provided, but any number from 1 to N ispossible. First routing waveguides 46 extend from the input ports 43,and second routing waveguides 47 extend from the output ports 44 foroptically coupling the MMI coupler 41 to external optical waveguides ordevices. The first and second routing waveguides 46 and 47 include awidth w_routing.

The MMI coupler 41 is ideally comprised of silicon, but other suitablehigher-index waveguide materials, e.g. semiconductor materials such asInP and GaAs or dielectric materials such as SiO2 and SiN, are withinthe scope of the invention.

The MMI core 42 comprises a plurality of waveguide core strips separatedby and alternating with strips of cladding 48, which may include asubstantially constant width w_low, and may comprises glass, air or someother suitable material with an index of refraction lower than thewaveguide core strips, such as polymers or nitrides. The waveguide corestrips may be substantially parallel to each other and the strips ofcladding 48, but other non-parallel arrangements are possible. Theplurality of waveguide core strips may include central strips 51,tapering side strips 52, and spacer strips 53. All of the waveguide corestrips may each have the same constant width throughout their length, orall of the same type of waveguide core strip, e.g. tapering side strips52, may have the same constant width, but different than another type ofwaveguide core strip, throughout their length. Alternatively, eachwaveguide core strip may have a different constant width throughouttheir length. The widths of the waveguide core strip may also varythroughout their lengths.

Each input port 43 includes a tapering section 56 extending between oneof the respective first routing waveguides 46 and the correspondingcentral strip 51. The tapering section 56 includes a width that tapers,e.g. linearly or exponentially, down from the width of the first routingwaveguide 46 w_routing to the width of the central strip 51 w_high forinput ports 43 or that expands, e.g. linearly or exponentially, up fromthe width of the central strip 51 w_high to the width of the firstrouting waveguide 46 w_routing for output ports 44. Each input port 43also include ends 57 of tapering side strips 52 extending along eachside of the tapering section 56. The ends 57 of the tapering side strips52 in the input ports 43 may expand from a minimum width, e.g. asubstantially pointed end defined as a critical dimension supported bythe fabrication process, to a width w_high, as the tapering section 56tapers down to the width w_high, which can be substantially the same ordifferent than the width w_high of the central strip 51. Ideally, theminimum width of the outer free end of the ends 57 is as small adimension as the fabrication process allows; however, larger thanpossible minimum widths are also possible and within the scope of theinvention, in particular if operating specifications allow. In theoutput ports 44, the ends 57 of the tapering side strips 52 may taperfrom the width w_high to a minimum width, e.g. a substantially pointedend, defined as a critical dimension supported by the fabricationprocess, as the tapering section 56 expands from the width w_high to thewidth w_routing. Ideally, the minimum width of the outer free end of theends 57 is as small a dimension as the fabrication process allows;however, larger than possible minimum widths are also possible, inparticular if operating specifications allow. The spacer strips 53extend adjacent to the tapering side strips 52. There may be one or morespacer strips 53 between tapering side strips 52 or the spacer strips 53may be omitted altogether. The spacer strips 53 may have the same widthw_high as the central strip 51 and the side strips 52 or they may have awider or thinner width.

With reference to FIG. 3C, in comparison to prior art input ports 16 ato 16 d, the input routing waveguides 46 are tapered from the routingwidth (w_routing) to the width of central strip 51 of the MMI core 42forming the tapering section 56. By tapering the routing waveguide 46 toa smaller width, single mode operation is ensured. At the same time thatthe tapering section 56 of the central strip 51 is tapered, twointerleaved tapers on the side strips 52 ensure that the mode expands ina ellipsoidal manner and ensures that the mode connects to the MMI core42 with a geometry such that it perfectly matches the three strips, i.e.central strip 51 and two side strips 52, of the MMI core 42. Even in thecase that the image formed by the MMI coupler 41 is imperfect (asdepicted), no phase ripples would be observed in transmission given thesingle mode nature of the access ports 43 and 44.

FIGS. 4B and 4C illustrate how the cross-section of the MMI core 42compares to regular MMI's, e.g. FIGS. 1A and 1B. First, the single layerapproach is very desirable since dual layer designs are impracticalgiven their intrinsic sensitivity to the thickness of the partial layer.Moreover, a single layer approach simplifies the fabrication process.

Second, the sub-wavelength approach reduces the refractive index of theMMI core 42 by segmenting the MMI core 42 into a plurality of opticallycoupled strips, e.g. 51, 52 and 53, which effectively reduces the indexcontrast between the MMI core 42 and the cladding 48 resulting in lowmodal phase error required for good imaging. The sub-wavelength approachalso provides more degree of freedom, e.g. period (A), number ofperiods, fill factor and length, than dual layer designs which makes iteasier to achieve given performance spec. Further, these degrees offreedom are all lithographically defined, which is much easier tocontrol than parameters, such as the thickness of a partially etchedlayer.

Third, the sub-wavelength MMI coupler design may use single mode,adiabatic access port tapering. The access ports 43 and 44 areintuitively designed by simply extending the length of the some of theMMI's core strips 51 and 52, and by using interleaved tapers. Lowreflection is guaranteed since there are no hard interfaces. Good modalmatching between the mode of the access ports 43 and 44 and the mode ofthe MMI core 42 is ensured, since both use a very similar sub-wavelengthstructure. Also, since the access ports 43 and 44 may be single mode,their tapering and expanding sections are easily made adiabatic andshort, ensuring low loss and ripple free transmission.

FIG. 4B illustrates a typical cross-section of the MMI core 42, andoutlines the various degrees of freedom, which can be manipulated duringmanufacture until a desired or threshold performance characteristic,e.g. loss, balance, CMRR, and phase error, is obtained. For example: 1)the period (Λ), i.e. the distance between the central axis of adjacentcore strips; 2) the fill factor (ff) defined by w_high/(w_high+w_low);3) the width of the MMI core 42 (w_mmi) determined by the number ofperiods and the numbers of ports 43 and 44; 4) the height of the MMIcore 42 (h_mmi), which is typically determined by the selected photonicsplatform; and 5) the length of the MMI core (l_mmi) determined by lengthof the strips 53.

In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 4B, the cross-section of the MMI41 is comprised of fifteen strips of waveguide material, e.g. silicon.Ideally, for a MMI 41 with N input and output ports, the MMI core 42 iscomprised of N central strips 51, N×2 side strips 52, and N−1 spacerstrips 53; however, additional side strips 52 are possible, as well asmore or less spacer strips 53. Each access port 43 and 44 may becomprised of the ends of three strips, e.g. one central strip 51 and twotapering side strips 52. Typically, one spacer strip 53 may be used as aspacer between the access ports 43 and 44, although zero or two or morespacer strips 53 are possible.

An example 4×4 MMI coupler 41 includes a fill factor of 0.45 to 0.55(w_high=180 nm to 220 nm, w_low=160 nm to 200 nm), a period of 350 nm to400 nm, and is composed of 12 to 18 core strips resulting in atheoretical 4-fold imaging distance of 50 μm to 55 μm. FIG. 2Cillustrates a plot of modal phase error for an example 4×4 MMI coupler41 for various wavelengths ranging from 1520 nm to 1580 nm. Depending onthe number of access ports 43 and 44, the number of strips that compriseeach port 43 and 44 could change. Access ports 43 and 44 have beendesign using three strips; however, they could have been designed toconnect to an arbitrary number of core strips, e.g. 1, 2, 3, 4 . . . .The choice mainly depends on the number of access ports 46 and 47, andon the achievable critical dimension of the fabrication process.Typically, a smaller number of strips are required for a smaller numberof access ports 43 and 44.

Note that the MMI coupler design of the present invention is robust tofabrication rounding or non-ideal etch profile, as illustrated in FIG.4C. An important parameter is the volumetric fill factor representingthe volumetric ratio between waveguide, e.g. silicon, and claddingmaterial. Moreover, the design is quite robust to changes in fillfactor; for the geometry proposed, fill factors ranging between 0.5 to0.55, e.g. w_high=190 nm to 210 nm, corresponds to an optimal imagingdistance of 52.4 μm to 52.8 μm with the modal phase error remainingsmaller than +/−40° for all the supported modes. In other words, given afabrication target of +/−5% on width of w_high, e.g. w_high=200 nm+/−10nm, the associated MMI length would only vary by 52.6 μm+/−0.2 μm or0.3%. Comparatively, a typical dual layer design, as illustrated in FIG.2B, with partial etch target of +/−5%, e.g. h_partial=150 nm+/−8 nm,would change the optimal imaging length by 115.8 μm+/−1.8 um or 1.6%.Note also, that the MMI coupler 41 has a much smaller footprint.

FIG. 5, illustrates the main sections of one of the access port, e.g.input port 43 or output port 44. The tapering section 56, extendsbetween the center strip 51 and the routing waveguide 46 or 47, andtapers in width from the width w_routing of the central strip 52 to thewidth of the central strip w_high for the input ports 43 or expands inwidth from the width w_high of the central strip 51 to the width of therouting waveguide w_routing for the output ports 44. For the outputports 44, an initial portion of the tapering section 56 is interleavedwith, i.e. sandwiched between, the ends 57 of the side strips 52, whichtaper down from w_high to substantially a point at about ¾ of the lengthof the output port 44 or l_super as the tapering section 56 expands fromw_high. The remaining portion of the tapering section 56 expands over alength l_single, which represents about ¼ the total port length l_portof the output port 44, until coupling with the routing waveguide 47 withonly cladding 48 on opposite sides thereof.

For the input ports 43, an initial portion of the tapering section 56tapers from the width w_routing of the routing waveguide 46 over alength l_single, which represents about ¼ the total port length l_portof the input port 43 with only cladding strips 48 on opposite sidesthereof. A remaining portion of the tapering section 56 is interleavedwith, i.e. sandwiched between, the ends 57 of the side strips 52, whichexpand from a minimum width, e.g. substantially a point, defined as acritical dimension supported by the fabrication process, at about ¾ ofthe length of the input port 43, i.e. l_super, to a width w_high, as thetapering section 56 tapers down to w_high. Ideally, the minimum width ofthe outer free ends of the ends 57 is as small a dimension as thefabrication process allows; however, larger than possible minimum widthsare also possible and within the scope of the invention, in particularif operating specifications allow.

The gap between each of the tapering sections 56 and 57 of the strips 51and 52, respectively, may be fixed at the spacing width w_low, i.e. thewidth of the cladding strip 48 in the MMI core 42, to ensure that stripsin the access ports 43 and 44 exactly matches the MMI geometry once theyreach the MMI core 42. Over the length l_super, the mode will form asuper mode composed of all three strips, e.g. central strip 51 and twoside strips 52, and the cladding 48 therebetween. In a preferredembodiment, a total access port length of l_port=12-18 um providesadiabatic mode transformation.

FIG. 6, illustrates an alternative embodiment of an MMI coupler 61,including an MMI core 62 with at least three access ports, e.g. an inputport 63 and first and second output ports 64. In the illustrated device61, which comprises a Y-junction splitter, the access ports 64 can alsobe considered the MMI core 62. Only a single mode is supported over thelength l_single+l_super, which may comprise the input (or output) port63, but then a multi-mode region is supported over the length l_dual,which may be considered the MMI core 62 and the first and second output(or input) ports 64. Extending from an end of an input (or output)waveguide 66, the input port 63 includes a tapering section 76, whichafter a length l_single, becomes sandwiched between first and secondexpanding sections 77, with cladding strips 78 therebetween, ashereinbefore disclosed. The first and second expanding sections mayexpand from a minimum width, e.g. substantially a point defined as acritical dimension supported by the fabrication process, into the widthintermediate that of the outer free end and of the output waveguide 67w_routing, after the length l_super. At the output (or input) end, anextension of the tapering section 76 is reduced to a minimum width, e.g.substantially a point defined as the critical dimension supported by thefabrication process, which opens a gap (w_low top+w_low bot) between thetwo output waveguides 67. Extensions of the expanding sections 77 expandfrom the intermediate width to the width of the output (or input)waveguides 67 over the length l_dual. Note that there are no hardinterfaces in the optical path, which ensures low back-reflection fromthe coupler 61. Further, the coupler 61 is broadband provided that thecritical dimension width of the process is much smaller than theeffective wavelength, it also not very sensitive to the polarizationstate. Ideally, the minimum width of the outer free ends of the ends 76and 77 is as small a dimension as the fabrication process allows;however, larger than possible minimum widths are also possible andwithin the scope of the invention, in particular if operatingspecifications allow.

A balanced y-junction (50:50) split can be made by making the ratiow_low bot/w_low top=1, i.e. ensuring that the end of the taperingsection 76 is equa-distant between the ends of the expanding sections77. However, unbalanced splitting (e.g. 60:40, 70:30, 80:20, 90:10) canbe made by changing this ratio, i.e. the distances between the end ofthe tapering section 76 and the ends of the expanding sections 77.Ideally, the distances between the tapering section 76 and eachexpanding section 77, i.e. the width of the cladding strips 78therebetween, are constant along their respective lengths. Additionalaccess ports 63 and/or 64 may be added by simply adding additional inputwaveguides 66, tapering sections 76, expanding sections 77, and outputwaveguides 67. Spacer strips may also be provided between expandingsections 77.

Changing the fill factor, period (A) of each strip 51, 52 and 53 as afunction of the length l_mmi of the MMI core 42 could help reducingwavelength dependency of the MMI coupler 41.

A partial etch layer could be used such that it would partially fill thegrating of the MMI core 42 and 62, whereby each cladding strip 48 and 78includes a layer of higher index waveguide material, typically the sameas the material making up the waveguide core strips. The layer ofwaveguide material may be 1/10 to 7/10 of the full height, preferably4/10 to 6/10. The full height strips would help with the fabricationprocess since they provide a constant density of waveguide materialwhich helps achieve more accurate partial etch.

The foregoing description of one or more embodiments of the inventionhas been presented for the purposes of illustration and description. Itis not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to theprecise form disclosed. Many modifications and variations are possiblein light of the above teaching. It is intended that the scope of theinvention be limited not by this detailed description, but rather by theclaims appended hereto.

I claim:
 1. An optical coupler comprising: a first central waveguidestrip; a first input port at one end of the first central waveguidestrip; a first output port at an opposite end of the first centralwaveguide strip; a first waveguide side strip, extending along one sideof the first central waveguide strip with a first cladding striptherebetween; a second waveguide side strip, extending along an oppositeside of the first central waveguide strip with a second cladding striptherebetween; a second central waveguide strip; a second input port atone end of the second central waveguide strip; a second output port atan opposite end of the second central waveguide strip; a third waveguideside strip, extending between the second waveguide side strip and thesecond central waveguide strip with respective third and fourth claddingstrips on either side thereof; a fourth waveguide side strip, extendingalong an opposite side of the second central waveguide strip with afifth cladding strip therebetween.
 2. The optical coupler according toclaim 1, wherein the first input port comprises: a first taperingsection extending from the first central waveguide strip, a width of thefirst tapering section tapering down from a first width for couplingwith a first input routing waveguide to a second smaller width at aninput to the first central waveguide strip; a first end of the firstwaveguide side strip; and a first end of the second waveguide sidestrip.
 3. The coupler according to claim 2, wherein a width of the firstend of the first waveguide side strip expands from substantially a firstminimum width to a first high width as the first tapering sectiontapers; and wherein a width of the first end of the second waveguideside strip expands from a second minimum width to a second high width asthe first tapering section tapers; whereby a mode input the first inputport expands in an ellipsoidal manner with a geometry that matches thefirst central waveguide strip and first and second waveguide sidestrips.
 4. The coupler according to claim 3, wherein the first ends ofthe first and second waveguide side strips extend to about ¾ of a lengthof the first input port.
 5. The coupler according to claim 3, whereinthe first minimum width and the second minimum width of the first endsof the first and second waveguide side strips is substantially a point.6. The coupler according to claim 3, wherein the first output portcomprises: an expanding section extending from the first centralwaveguide strip, a width of the expanding section expanding from anoutput of the first central waveguide strip to a wider width forcoupling with a first output routing waveguide; a second end of thefirst waveguide side strip; and a second end of the second waveguideside strip.
 7. The coupler according to claim 6, wherein a width of thesecond end of the first waveguide side strip tapers from a third highwidth to a third minimum width as the expanding section expands; andwherein a width of the second end of the second waveguide side striptapers from a fourth high width to a fourth minimum width as theexpanding section expands.
 8. The coupler according to claim 7, whereinthe third minimum width and the fourth minimum width are substantially apoint.
 9. The coupler according to claim 7, wherein the second ends ofthe first and second waveguide side strips extend to about ¾ of a lengthof the expanding section.
 10. The coupler according to claim 1, whereinthe first output port comprises: an expanding section extending from thefirst central waveguide strip, a width of the expanding sectionexpanding from an output of the first central waveguide strip to a widerwidth for coupling with a first output routing waveguide; an outer endof the first waveguide side strip; and an outer end of the secondwaveguide side strip.
 11. The coupler according to claim 10, wherein awidth of the outer end of the first waveguide side strip tapers from afirst high width to a first minimum width as the expanding sectionexpands; and wherein a width of the outer end of the second waveguideside strip tapers from a second high width to a second minimum width asthe expanding section expands.
 12. The coupler according to claim 11,wherein the first waveguide side strip and the second waveguide sidestrip extend to about ¾ of a length of the first output port.
 13. Thecoupler according to claim 1, further comprising at least one spacerwaveguide strip between the second waveguide side strip and the thirdwaveguide side strip with cladding strips on either side of each spacerwaveguide strip.
 14. The coupler according to claim 1, wherein each ofthe first and second waveguide strips and the first, second, third andfourth waveguide side strips adjacent to the first and second waveguidestrips have a same constant core width.
 15. The coupler according toclaim 14, wherein the core width is between 180 nm and 220 nm.
 16. Thecoupler according to claim 1, wherein the first, second, fourth andfifth cladding strips each comprise a same constant cladding width. 17.The coupler according to claim 16, wherein the cladding width is between160 nm and 200 nm.
 18. The coupler according to claim 1, the first andsecond central waveguide strips and the first, second, third and fourthwaveguide side strips comprise a sub-wavelength multi-mode interference(MMI) core for light ranging from 1520 nm to 1580 nm.
 19. The coupleraccording to claim 18, wherein a fill factor of the multi-modeinterference (MMI) core is between 0.45 to 0.55.
 20. The coupleraccording to claim 1, wherein each of the first, second, third, fourthand fifth cladding strips include a layer of waveguide core material.